Most baseball conversations this time of year revolve around the best players.

We talk about the players picked for the All-Star Game, and the worthy players who were snubbed from the Midsummer Classic. We talk about the best tradable players desired by the best teams, the franchises that are trying to build up for a playoff run.

And when we think about the best, it’s hard not to at least consider the opposite end of the spectrum. What about the guys who are struggling? It’s only natural to think about that. So we did.

Here’s a position-by-position look at the players who have struggled, big-time, in 2018. We didn’t always pick the player with the worst WAR, but they were always near the bottom. Think of the selection process as a “to whom much is given — be it talent or money — much is expected.” These guys aren’t living up to the expectations.

1B Chris Davis, Orioles

Damning numbers: .159/.223/.284, 44 OPS+, minus 2.1 bWARNeed to know: The worst WAR in MLB history (well, since 1900, among players with at least 300 plate appearances) is a robust minus 4.0. By FanGraphs’ version, Jim Levey hit that mark in 1933; by Baseball-Reference’s calculation, Jerry Royster posted a minus 4.0 in 1977. Chris Davis has an outside shot at reaching that mark this year, though it’s kind of hard to imagine he’ll play enough games if he continues to struggle this much. Through 296 plate appearances, Davis has a minus 2.1 bWAR and minus 2.0 fWAR. Also, the worst batting average since 1900 for any player with at least 400 PAs is .159 by Adam Dunn in 2011. Davis, as you see, is at .159. Yikes. (Dis)honorable mention: Logan Morrison, Twins

2B Jonathan Schoop, Orioles

Damning numbers: .224/.263/.391, 80 OPS+, minus 0.1 bWARNeed to know: Not picking on Baltimore, I swear. It’s been an incredibly rough season. Unlike Davis, who’s locked into a long-term deal at $23 million a season, Schoop is set to become a free agent after the 2019 season and it made sense that, considering free-agents-to-be Manny Machado, Zach Britton, Adam Jones and Brad Brach will all be gone next year and this is a franchise that could use a talent infusion, maybe the Orioles would look to learn from past hesitations and deal Schoop while his value was highest. He was a legitimate star in 2017, batting .293 with a 123 OPS+, 32 homers and a 5.2 bWAR. That value is pretty much gone at the moment after a disastrous first half. Schoop shouldn’t be written off after a couple of tough months, of course — he’s only 26 and went 3-for-4 on Monday, a good sign — but Baltimore’s best-case scenario involves hoping Schoop bounces back in the second half and they trade him in the offseason. (Dis)honorable mention: Eduardo Nunez, Red Sox

SS Alcides Escobar, Royals

Damning numbers: .195/.243/.275, 43 OPS+, minus 1.8 bWARNeed to know: Escobar was a huge part of the Royals teams that made it to Game 7 of the 2014 World Series and won the 2015 World Series, and for that K.C. fans will forever be grateful. But the end of the line is right around the corner; Escobar was a free agent this past offseason but returned on a one-year, $2.5 million deal. With a batting average south of .200 and an on-base percentage south of .250, he very well might not finish 2018 in K.C. (Dis)honorable mention: Amed Rosario, Mets

3B Evan Longoria, Giants

Damning numbers: .246/.278/.434, 91 OPS+, 0.2 bWARNeed to know: Let’s start by saying this: There are a lot of third basemen having good seasons in 2018. There are 21 players with at least 250 PAs and 75 percent of their games at third base, and none of those players has a negative bWAR. So it’s not like Longoria has been horrible. But that on-base percentage is well below his career .341 mark, and his “worst” full-season bWAR is a still-good 3.3, which is a far cry from his current 0.2.(Dis)honorable mention: Luis Valbuena, Angels

OF Dexter Fowler, Cardinals

Damning numbers: .167/.270/.271, 49 OPS+, minus 1.4 bWARNeed to know: Most of the conversation involving Fowler the past couple of weeks has revolved around comments made by John Mozeliak, the team’s front-office guru, about Fowler’s effort level. That’s … whatever. The biggest problem this season has been Fowler’s production level. It’s hard to keep a guy batting well under .200 in the lineup on a regular basis if the team still hopes to qualify for a playoff spot. (Dis)honorable mention: Chris Owings, Diamondbacks

OF Kole Calhoun, Angels

Damning numbers: .170/.220/.260, 34 OPS+, minus 1.2 bWARNeed to know: Calhoun had been a reliable corner outfielder for the Angels, playing next to Mike Trout, for the past four seasons. This year has been a disaster, though. You see the average and on-base percentage above, and consider this, too: Calhoun’s averaged 51 extra-base hits over the past four years, and he only has 10 this year (five homers, four doubles, one triple), in 254 plate appearances.(Dis)honorable mention: Luis Brinson, Marlins

OF Jay Bruce, Mets

Damning numbers: .212/.292/.321, 72 OPS+, minus 1.0 bWARNeed to know: Bruce hit 36 home runs last year, split between the Mets and Indians. New York gave him a three-year deal this offseason to return to Citi Field, but the power hasn’t been there for the 31-year-old lefty slugger. He’s on the DL with a hip issue and won’t be back for a little while. This year, he has three home runs and 17 RBIs through 62 games; last year, he had 18 homers and 47 RBIs through 62 games.(Dis)honorable mention: Trey Mancini, Orioles

C Christian Vasquez, Red Sox

Damning numbers: .213/.249/.300, 47 OPS+, minus 0.8 bWARNeed to know: In 2017, his first year as Boston’s primary catcher, Vazquez batted .290 with a .330 on-base percentage and posted a 1.1 bWAR in 99 games. This time around wasn’t quite so productive, even before he landed on the DL for up to two months with a broken finger. (Dis)honorable mention: Sal Perez, Royals

DH Victor Martinez, Tigers

Damning numbers: .243/.296/.320, 68 OPS+, minus 1.2 bWARNeed to know: Once upon a time, Martinez was a feared batsman, a switch-hitter who was just as likely to beat you with a well-placed double to the opposite field as a jaw-dropping home run. The days of the jaw-droppers are gone. He still doesn’t strike out — 32 times in 311 PAs — but there just isn’t much pop in his bat. In those 311 PAs, he has just 14 extra-base hits (10 doubles, four homers). That’s not great for a DH.(Dis)honorable mention: Kendrys Morales, Blue Jays

SP Matt Moore, Rangers

Damning numbers: 7.08 ERA, 4.87 FIP, 1.879 WHIP, minus 1.3 bWARNeed to know: It’s been a rough season for Moore. The 29-year-old lefty has as many runs allowed (54) as strikeouts (54), to go with 97 hits allowed in 68 2/3 innings. His 7.08 ERA is the worst in the majors for any pitcher with at least 60 innings, though he’s been better since his recent demotion to the bullpen (3.55 ERA in five appearances). (Dis)honorable mention: Jason Hammel, Royals

SP Lucas Giolito, White Sox

Damning numbers: 6.59 ERA, 6.33 FIP, 1.557 WHIP, minus 1.0 bWARNeed to know: Moore has the worst ERA for any pitcher with at least 60 innings, and Giolito has the worst FIP (fielding-independent pitching) for anyone to reach that mark. Control has been a huge issue for the still-young-and-learning right-hander. The 23-year-old has issued an AL-high 57 walks and hit a league-high 11 batters. On the other hand, he’s pitched at least six innings five times in his past eight starts, including a 7 1/3-inning outing at Houston in his most recent start (he allowed three hits and two runs). Those are the things that are more important to the White Sox than his 2018 FIP.(Dis)honorable mention: Homer Bailey, Reds

RP Bryan Shaw, Rockies

Damning numbers: 7.57 ERA, 5.81 FIP, 1.963 WHIP, minus 1.7 bWARNeed to know: Shaw spent his entire seven-year career developing a reputation as one of the most reliable, consistent relievers in baseball. He led the AL in appearances in three of the previous four seasons — impressive for a non-LOOGY — and was seen as an outstanding free-agent addition to the Colorado bullpen. Instead, he’s struggled like never before. You see the ERA. He’s already matched his career-worst for earned runs allowed (30) and home runs allowed (eight; five in Colorado, three on the road), and he’s currently on the disabled list for the first time in his career with a calf injury doubling as a mental break. (Dis)honorable mention: Greg Holland, Cardinals